This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7256158.stm

The article has changed 23 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 17 Version 18
US embassy in Belgrade attacked US embassy in Belgrade attacked
(about 2 hours later)
Several hundred protesters have attacked the US and other embassies in Serbia's capital in anger at Western support for Kosovo's independence.Several hundred protesters have attacked the US and other embassies in Serbia's capital in anger at Western support for Kosovo's independence.
Protesters broke into the US compound and briefly set part of the embassy alight. Firemen later found an unidentified charred body inside.Protesters broke into the US compound and briefly set part of the embassy alight. Firemen later found an unidentified charred body inside.
The UK, Belgian, Croatian and Turkish missions were also attacked. The UK, Belgian, Croatian and Turkish missions were also targeted. The UN Security Council condemned the attacks.
The violence followed a peaceful rally earlier by at least 150,000 people outside the main parliament building. The attacks followed a peaceful rally by at least 150,000 people in Belgrade.
The US, UK, Germany and Italy are among those to have recognised Kosovo. Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica delivered an impassioned speech condemning Kosovo's secession.
Kosovo belongs to the Serbian people Vojislav Kostunica In pictures: Belgrade rally
Earlier, Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica delivered an impassioned speech condemning the territory's secession.
"As long as we live, Kosovo is Serbia. Kosovo belongs to the Serbian people," he told the flag-waving crowd."As long as we live, Kosovo is Serbia. Kosovo belongs to the Serbian people," he told the flag-waving crowd.
Most Serbs regard Kosovo as their religious and cultural heartland. [Violence] only keeps Kosovo distant from Serbia, President Boris Tadic class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7257318.stm">In pictures: Belgrade rally Most Serbs regard Kosovo as their religious and cultural heartland.
Ripped flag Later about 1,000 protesters attacked the US embassy, throwing flares through the window while others scaled walls to rip down the US flag.
In New York the US ambassador to the United Nations, Zalmay Khalilzad, expressed outrage at the attack, and said he would ask for a Security Council condemnation.
He said the Serbian government should be reminded "of its responsibility to protect diplomatic facilities".
The main rally outside parliament was peacefulSerbian President Boris Tadic appealed for calm.
"This only keeps Kosovo distant from Serbia," he said.
About 1,000 protesters attacked the building, throwing flares through the window while others scaled walls to rip down the US flag.
At the time there appeared to be no police protecting the embassy, but riot police later intervened, firing tear gas.At the time there appeared to be no police protecting the embassy, but riot police later intervened, firing tear gas.
'Mob attacks'
The fires raged for half an hour, and when firemen finally managed to get inside the building they found a charred body.The fires raged for half an hour, and when firemen finally managed to get inside the building they found a charred body.
The body has not been identified, though US officials said all embassy staff of US nationality had been accounted for. The main rally outside parliament was peacefulThe body has not been identified, though US officials said all embassy staff of US nationality had been accounted for.
State department spokesman Sean McCormack said the protesters had entered the chancellery but did not breach the embassy's secure area, and the entire compound had now been cleared.State department spokesman Sean McCormack said the protesters had entered the chancellery but did not breach the embassy's secure area, and the entire compound had now been cleared.
Washington received assurances from Mr Kostunica that there would be no repeat of the incident, he added.Washington received assurances from Mr Kostunica that there would be no repeat of the incident, he added.
The US, UK, Germany and Italy are among those to have recognised Kosovo.
In New York, the UN Security Council condemned what it called "mob attacks" on US and other embassies in Belgrade
In a unanimous statement, the council recalled the inviolability of diplomatic missions under international law, but welcomed steps by Serbian authorities to restore order.
Kosovo 'stolen'Kosovo 'stolen'
Several other embassies were also attacked by crowds. There are reports of various businesses and restaurants being attacked. Serbian President Boris Tadic appealed for calm.
Up to 100 people are believed to have been injured. "This only keeps Kosovo distant from Serbia," he said.
Serbia, supported by Russia and China, says Kosovo's Sunday declaration violates international law.Serbia, supported by Russia and China, says Kosovo's Sunday declaration violates international law.
During Thursday's rally, ultra-nationalist leader Tomislav Nikolic accused the US and EU of trying to steal Kosovo.During Thursday's rally, ultra-nationalist leader Tomislav Nikolic accused the US and EU of trying to steal Kosovo.
"Hitler could not take it away from us, and neither will today's [Western powers].""Hitler could not take it away from us, and neither will today's [Western powers]."
After the speeches, the crowd marched to the city's biggest church, the Temple of Saint Sava.After the speeches, the crowd marched to the city's biggest church, the Temple of Saint Sava.
Thick, black smoke had also earlier billowed from the crossing point at KOSOVO PROFILE Population about two millionMajority ethnic Albanian; 10% SerbUnder UN control since Nato drove out Serb forces in 19992,000-strong EU staff to take over from UN after independenceRecognised by US, UK, Germany, Italy and FranceNot recognised by Russia, Spain, Slovakia, CyprusNato to stay to provide security Country profile: KosovoTense confusion on border KOSOVO PROFILE Population about two millionMajority ethnic Albanian; 10% SerbUnder UN control since Nato drove out Serb forces in 19992,000-strong EU staff to take over from UN after independenceRecognised by US, UK, Germany, Italy and FranceNot recognised by Russia, Spain, Slovakia, CyprusNato to stay to provide security Country profile: KosovoTense confusion on border
Merdare, 50km (30 miles) north-east of Kosovo's capital Pristina, as Serb army reservists tried to enter Kosovo. Thick, black smoke had also earlier billowed from the crossing point at Merdare, 50km (30 miles) north-east of Kosovo's capital Pristina, as Serb army reservists tried to enter Kosovo.
"We are here in support of the Serbs who still live in Kosovo," Dejan Milosevic, one of the organisers, told the Associated Press news agency."We are here in support of the Serbs who still live in Kosovo," Dejan Milosevic, one of the organisers, told the Associated Press news agency.
The Kosovo police, backed by Czech troops from the Nato-led peacekeeping force, put a steel barrier across the road and were able to hold their line.The Kosovo police, backed by Czech troops from the Nato-led peacekeeping force, put a steel barrier across the road and were able to hold their line.
Protest rallies were also held in the Bosnian Serb republic (Republika Srpska). There were unconfirmed reports of injuries as several hundred protesters clashed with police outside the US consulate in Banja Luka. Protest rallies were also held in the Bosnian Serb republic (Republika Srpska).
In the coming weeks, an almost 2,000-strong EU mission will be deployed to help the country develop its police force and judiciary. here were unconfirmed reports of injuries as several hundred protesters clashed with police outside the US consulate in Banja Luka.
In the coming weeks, an almost 2,000-strong EU mission will be deployed to help Kosovo develop its police force and judiciary.
Are you in Belgrade? Are you planning to attend the protest? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in Belgrade? Are you planning to attend the protest? Send us your comments using the form below.
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions Read the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Name
 Name